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A Cool, Dry Place

Play trailer Poster for A Cool, Dry Place PG-13 Released Apr 3, 1996 1h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Kansas lawyer Russell Durrell (Vince Vaughn) is married to his soul mate, Kate (Monica Potter), but when she walks out on him unexpectedly, his world is turned awry. Left on his own to raise his small son, Calvin (Bobby Moat), Russell strives to find a balance between career and parenthood. Romance blooms when he meets assistant veterinarian Beth Ward (Joey Lauren Adams), but when Kate returns looking to resume her motherly and wifely duties, Russell is left with an impossible decision.
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A Cool, Dry Place

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
Lael Loewenstein Variety The kind of plodding, conventional fare usually reserved for TV movies. Oct 4, 2009 Full Review Tim Cogshell Boxoffice Magazine The film devolves into trite melodrama. But on the strength of several good performances, the authenticity of emotion remains intact. Rated: 3/5 Jun 5, 2002 Full Review Sandra Contreras TV Guide Its heart is in the right place, but this sweet drama just doesn't build enough true drama from its slender premise. That said, it's not bad enough to merit the kind of stealth release its studio has imposed on it. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 4, 2009 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 16, 2005 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 3/5 Jan 8, 2005 Full Review Dragan Antulov rec.arts.movies.reviews Could have been much better with slightly tighter pacing and with less drowning in sentimentalism. Rated: 5/10 Sep 8, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (73) audience reviews
Audience Member We all need a cool, dry place in our lives to start over Vince Vaughn, Monica Potter, and Joey Lauren Adams A single father Russell is looking for a new job Then out of the blue his wife Kate decides she's not happy anymore and divorces him A new woman Beth enters his life starting a new romance But when his ex returns things get tricky Beth doesn't want to get in the middle of anything messy Russell wants to start over and only raise his son never wanting the emotional scarring his mom left when she bailed It's almost impossible to be a dad but it's worth it just for your child's love and affection All these actors are really good and you get a sense of where they come from This is one of Vaughn's best acting The melodrama is a bit trite but you expect certain things to come out of a tricky spot these people are in that offers enough food for thought on single parenting and bonds of fathers and sons A decent honest human drama from everyone Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/07/23 Full Review camille l Dans A Cool Dry Place, on parle avec chaleur humaine d'un père célibataire et de ses difficultés à élever son gamin seul. On lui met dans les pattes une jolie fille et son ex-femme. Dans A Cool Dry Place, il n'y a rien d'original, aucune idée de mise en scène, aucune qualité qui rendrait le film indispensable ou même sympathique deux heures durant. En revanche, il n'y a aucun énorme défaut et l'interprétation de Vince Vaughn est parfaite. Il en reste qu'on s'ennuie ferme en attendant la fin avec impatience. Dommage, car l'idée de Vaughn en coach de basket était très bonne. C'est bien la seule. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member First found Vince Vaughn to be so appealing in the movie. He conveys every emotion in this single father drama. One of my favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Not my favourite film as it lacked a strong story line it was a bit too etchy! A shame really Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member I thought this movie was good however I am a Vince Vaughn fan and I know some are not. To see a comedian do drama isn't always a good thing but in this case I liked it. This is just a good watch it may not end up as your favorite movie but a good one none the less. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Overly melodramatic at times, but much more believable than more of the loved melodramas of our time. Vince Vaughn performed brilliantly as a fully-fleshed out father. As a human drama, I found myself more impressed than disappointed. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Cool, Dry Place

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Kansas lawyer Russell Durrell (Vince Vaughn) is married to his soul mate, Kate (Monica Potter), but when she walks out on him unexpectedly, his world is turned awry. Left on his own to raise his small son, Calvin (Bobby Moat), Russell strives to find a balance between career and parenthood. Romance blooms when he meets assistant veterinarian Beth Ward (Joey Lauren Adams), but when Kate returns looking to resume her motherly and wifely duties, Russell is left with an impossible decision.
Director
John N. Smith
Producer
Katie Jacobs, Gail Mutrux
Screenwriter
Michael Grant Jaffe, Matthew McDuffie
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2011
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
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